Spring thrust washer



July 23, 1935, w. K. SKOLFIELD 2,009,124

SPRING THRUST WASHER Filed Oct. 7, 1933 w Invntor: William K. Skolfield,

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Patented July 23, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,009,124 SPRING THRUST WASHER William K. Skolfield, Bridgeport, Conril'assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 7, 1933, Serial No. 692,642 4 Claims. (Cl. 308--163) The present invention relates to spring thrust The spring ring l3, which is interposed between washers for cushioning the end thrusts of relathe two wear rings H and I2, comprises asuitable tively small rotating shafts. The invention is piece of spring metal which is bent in opposite well adapted for use in connection with small elecdirections along diameters placed 90 apart as tric motors, and especially electric motors for elecbest shown in Fig. 3 so as to provide a spring struc- 5 tric ans, and accordinglyI have elected to illusture capable of yielding in an axial direction. trate this use of my invention. It is to be under- Preferably, I construct ring H from phospher stood, however, that the invention is not limited bronze. necessarily thereto. The wear rings H and I2 and the spring ring In the operation of electric fans, quietness is l3 are connected together by sliding connections of primary importance and if end play exists be- 80 a anged t at While t e rings ay move a y tween the thrust shoulders on the motor shaft relatively to each other, they cannot turn relaand the stationary thrust shoulders, the rotor may tively to each other. To this end I provide spring play back and forth in its bearings giving rise to ring I 3 with pairs of oppositely facing, axially a knocking or thumping sound. extending ears l4 and I5 and the wear rings ll The object of the present invention is to proand I2 with recesses I6 and I1 respectively into vide an improved spring thrust washer which is which the ears extend with a sliding flt. By

simp in structure, eflicient in operation, and cameans of these cars and recesses, the resilient a consideration of what I believe to be novel and mg relatively to each other so there can be no 20 my invention, attention is directed to the accomfriction or wear between them. At the same time, panying description and the claims appended however, they may move axially relatively to each thereto. other, the spring ring l3 being compressed be- In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows an electric fan tween the wear rings 1 l and I2. As shown in motor, partly in section, provided with spring i 2 nd 3, h ear I 5 which n a e the rethrust washers embodying the invention; Fig. 2 cesses ll of ring I2 are on one of the diameters is a sectional view of one of the washers, and along which the spring ring I3 is bent and the Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view showing the ears H which engage recesses l6 are on the other several parts of the washer. diameter along which the spring ring I3 is bent.

Referring to the drawing, I indicates an elec- The three rings are assembled relatively to each tric motor, the housing of which is provided with ther as show n g- 2 to f an ax y bearings 2 and 3, supported in the frame of the able washer and the washers are mounted on fan structure. The armature shaft 4 is provided the motor sha t 4 tween e sp t ve th ust with thrust shoulders 5 and 6, It is journaled shoulders. The openings through the washers in bearing linings 1 and 8 carried by the beare Sl htly lar r han he diameter of Shaft 4 ings 2 and 3. The ends of bearing linings 1 and 80 that the 8 provide stationary thrust shoulders I and 8 Washers. With this arrangement the washers My invention relates particularly to spring thrust float on the shaft and may turn with the shaft washers located between the thrust shoulders 5 or remain stationary, depending on the operating and 6 on the shaft and the stationary thrust conditions obtaining at the moment. In either shoulders 1 and 8 for taking up end play of the s he wash rs serv to tak up he n p shaft. between the shoulders on the shaft and the ad- Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the jacent shoulders at the end of the bearing linspring thrust washer, indicated as a whole at 9, ings so as to cushion any back and forth movecomprises three pieces, two wear rings or discs ment or knocking of the shaft. The axially II and I2 and a spring ring or disc I3. The wear yielding spring rings l3 serve to expand the rings H and I2 are formed from a suitable mate- Washers to take up for wear. rial capable of withstanding wear and which is By my invention, it will be seen that the parts not affected adversely by moisture. Preferably, of the washer which are in contact with the I employ a non-metallic material such as spinthrust shoulders are formed of a material caable textile fibres united and held in ahighly compable of withstanding wear so that the washers pressed state by an artificial resin such as a will have a long life. At the same time, I prophenolic condensation product. Such a material vide between the wear rings a resilient means is highly resistant to wear, will not absorb moisfor expanding the washer in an axial direction ture, swell or shrink, and isrelatively low in cost. which resilient means is not subjected to wear or any kind so that it may ability as a spring member. As the wear rings II and I2 are worm away, the spring ring expands, maintaining practically constant pressure and cushioning. This is an important consideration and I have found in actual practice that my improved spring thrust washer will maintain this condition even after there has occurred extreme wear on the washer.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,--

1. A spring thrust washer for use between a thrust shoulder on a rotating shaft and an adjacent stationary thrust shoulder comprising a plurality of wear rings, axially yieldable spring means separating said rings, and means fastening said rings and spring means together to prevent rotation of the rings and spring means relatively to each other but permit them to move axially relatively to each other.

2. A spring thrust washer for use between a thrust shoulder on a rotating shaft and an adjabe chosen for its cent stationary thrust shoulder, comprising a plurality oi wear rings, an axially yieldable spring ring located between them, and means fastening said rings together to prevent'rotation oi the rings relatively to each other but permit them to move axially relatively to each other.

3. A spring thrust washer for use between a thrust shoulder on a rotating shaft and an adiacent stationary thrust shoulder comprising a plurality of wear rings, an axially yieldable spring ring located between them, and interengaging parts on said rings which prevent rotation 01 said rings relatively to each other but permit them to move axially relatively to each other.

4. A spring thrust washer comprising in combination wear rings having recesses on the peripheries thereof, and an axially yieldable resilient ring interposed between said wear rings, said resilient ring having ears on the periphery thereof which engage the recesses of the said wear rings.

WILLIAM K. SKOLF'IELD. 

